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YFAP Biennial Benefit Concert - History
The Young Filipino Americans of Pittsburgh (YFAP) puts together the Benefit Concert to raise funds and showcase the FAAP Dance Troupe and talented members. To date, there have been five of these events. The last two concerts coincided with Mother's Day, to honor all mothers in the association.
In 1996, then YFAP President John Angeles conceived of a benefit concert as a leadership and service project required of alumni of the Pennsylvania Governor School for the Arts. The concert would raise money for charity while giving members an opportunity to display, share, and enjoy each other's talents and gifts.
With the guidance and support of their parents, the YFAP held its 1st Benefit Concert on November 30, 1996 at the Smithfield United Church, Pittsburgh. The concert raised $3500 through different levels of sponsorship and cash donations at the door. The major recipient was the Bethlehem Haven (for homeless women) to which the children were introduced when they held dance practices at the Shelter in preparation for the annual Pittsburgh Folk Festival. A small portion of the money raised went to the FAAP Dance Troupe, to be used for refurbishing or replacing props, equipment and costumes.
The YFAP found the benefit concert an activity truly worth repeating. Under the leadership of co-Presidents Jeffrey Quinto and Monica Rubiano, the 2nd Benefit Concert was held on November 23, 1997 at the Synod Hall, Pittsburgh. The money it raised, surpassing the previous year's, was divided among three recipients: (a) The Mt. Pinatubo Rehabilitation Project of the Poveda Learning Center for the rehabilitation of Barangay Linusungan, San Marcelino, Zambales, Philippines; (b) Mabatang Elementary School, Bataan, Philippines, for the construction of an artesian well and public address system and the purchase basic school supplies; and (c) the FAAP Dance Troupe, for the purchase of new props and costumes.
The success of the first two concerts generated more interest, enthusiasm, and cooperation among the members of YFAP and the parent association, FAAP. A bigger and more ambitious 3rd Benefit Concert was held under the leadership of Lawrence Purpura on November 15, 1998 at the University Center, Carnegie Mellon University (CMU). The event coincided with the celebration of the Philippine Centennial of the Declaration of Independence from Spain. This unique occasion attracted the involvement of "Bayan Ko (My Country), Filipino Arts and Crafts", an exhibit at CMU, and Kapatirang Pilipino, a student organization at CMU. The beneficiaries of the Third Benefit Concert were: (a) The Mt. Pinatubo Rehabilitation Project of the Poveda Learning Center, in response to the devastation caused by the volcano's eruption; (b) The Philippine Red Cross, in response to its appeal for help for victims of super-typhoon Babs (Loleng); (c) Pet Assisted Therapy program of Animal Friends, to provide seeing-eye dogs to the blind; (d) The YFAP Wish Fund, to be started to benefit sick Filipino-American children in Pittsburgh; and e) The FAAP Dance Troupe, to finance its many activities.
After a few years' hiatus, the YFAP made plans to revive the concert as a biennial fund-raiser, primarily to showcase the Dance Troupe, now deemed ready and capable of holding a full program by itself. Under the leadership of YFAP President Mimi Carranza, the "4th Benefit Concert and a Mother's Day Celebration" was held on May 10, 2003 at the Bellefield Hall Auditorium of the University of Pittsburgh. The sole recipient of the proceeds from that concert was the Philippine Nationality Room (PNR) at the University's Cathedral of Learning, a project the FAAP had just then launched and which the association considers the most ambitious it has ever undertaken. Surpassing the past incomes of the previous concerts was most rewarding, boosting not only the confidence of the dance troupe but also the finances of the PNR Project.
The "5th Benefit Concert and a Tribute to Mothers", conceived and produced under the leadership of President Christopher Purpura, is a continuation of the YFAP's support and dedication to the parent organization's dream of bringing the Philippine Nationality Room closer to reality. All proceeds from this concert were earmarked once again for the PNR project. While still adhering to the original concept of sharing our youths' talents with one another and the community, this concert was proud to present, in addition to our Dance Troupe, Mr. Toti Fuentes, internationally acclaimed keyboardist, composer, and musical director-arranger, who performed gratis et amore.
By Nenette Angeles 
02.24.2007
NOTE: If you have images, that can be posted here, from the past Benefit Concerts, please contact the Web Site Committee at webadmin@theFAAP.org
